EXTENDING their long unbeaten home record could see Hartlepool United hit the heights of second place tonight.

Pool meet Wycombe Wanderers at Victoria Park for the first time since The Chairboys entered the Football League in 1990.

If they become the 25th side to be sent packing - a 2-1 defeat to Rushden on September 28, 2002 was the last home reverse - then Pool could be in unchartered waters.

Twice Alan Murray's side sat one place off the top in the early 90s, but few expected Neale Cooper's team to be there this season.

The midweek win at Chesterfield put them in a healthy seventh spot and Cooper said: "Our home form is something we can be really proud of.

"But it's something we want to keep going. We got a great response from the players during the week and that's what we are looking for.''

Tuesday's win put Chesterfield back on bottom spot, swopping places with Wycombe, who beat Bristol City 3-0. Next Saturday Pool go to Notts County, the other team making up the bottom three positions.

Pool slumped to a 4-0 defeat at Blackpool last Saturday and Cooper added: "I was looking for a reaction after the disappointment of Blackpool and I got it.

"The boys have a great attitude, the response was something I expected.

"Words were said before Tuesday's game. I said whatever the outcome I want to see grit, determination and fighting qualities and they showed them all. I told them what is expected.

"We had them in on Sunday and they have trained really well all week. They know how poor the performance was - everything we had done well this season, we did badly.

"Playing on Tuesday was just what we needed, it gave us the chance to get the game out of our system quickly.''

After beating Pool 4-0, Blackpool then lost at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday, going down 3-2. "Everyone said it was the best Blackpool had played all season, and it was the worst we had played,'' said Cooper.

"There was some strange results this week. Wycombe had a great result against Bristol City and they are a threat up front.''

Marco Gabbiadini missed the win at Saltergate after falling down the stairs at home and Cooper said: "He's trained today and should be OK. It was a strange way to get injured, but we have to get on with it.

"Paul Robinson has a problem with his ankle - he did it after he scored the other night and is struggling.''

Marcus Richardson was recalled from his loan spell at Lincoln on Monday and started his first game for Cooper at Chesterfield.

His low cross was diverted into the net by defender Ian Evatt to open the scoring on Tuesday and Cooper said: "He has come back sharp and, more importantly, he has had some games.

"He has been scoring goals at Lincoln and everyone has benefited from it.''

Former England and Spurs assistant manager John Gorman has taken temporary charge of Wycombe and he will be interviewed for the job next week.

Read more about Hartlepool here.